Glove box management

Abstract

A container management system can use an electronic push-push interface to facilitate transition of the container in response to user inputs. Switches can be provided to detect the container position, and an actively controlled latch can respond to the detected position to lock or unlock the container. The display can also be operated to control the configuration of the container. The management system can also perform controls based on one or more other detectable conditions, such as locking the container when one or more external events are detected.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a container comprising a striker;   a latch configured to transition between a locked configuration to retain the striker and an unlocked configuration to release the striker; and   an actuator configured to:
 electronically actuate, in response to a detection that the latch is urged beyond the unlocked configuration, the latch to the locked configuration; and 
 electronically actuate, in response to a detection that the latch is urged beyond the locked configuration, the latch to the unlocked configuration. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the latch is configured to rotate to transition between the locked configuration and the unlocked configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the striker is a first striker;   the latch is a first latch;   the container further comprises a second striker; and   the apparatus further comprises a second latch configured to transition between the locked configuration to retain the second striker and the unlocked configuration to release the second striker.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the container is configured to transition between an open configuration, a closed configuration, and an overtravel configuration, the closed configuration being between the open configuration and the overtravel configuration. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising an ajar sensor configured to detect when the container is in the open configuration or the closed configuration. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising a bumper configured to bias the container from the closed configuration toward the open configuration and compress as the container extends beyond the closed configuration to the overtravel configuration. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the actuator is configured to:
 in response to a detection that the container is transitioned from the open configuration to the overtravel configuration, electronically actuate the latch to the locked configuration; and   in response to a detection that the container is transitioned from the closed configuration to the overtravel configuration, electronically actuate the latch to the unlocked configuration.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the container is a first container;   the striker is a first striker;   the latch is a first latch;   the apparatus further comprises:
 a second container comprising a second striker; and 
 a second latch configured to transition between the locked configuration to retain the second striker and the unlocked configuration to release the second striker. 
   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the actuator is configured to:
 electronically actuate both the first latch and the second latch to the locked configuration in response to a detection that either one of the first latch or the second latch is urged beyond the unlocked configuration; and   electronically actuate both the first latch and the second latch to the unlocked configuration in response to a detection that either one of the first latch or the second latch is urged beyond the locked configuration.   
     
     
         10 . A vehicle comprising:
 a container configured to transition between an open configuration, a closed configuration, and an overtravel configuration, the closed configuration being between the open configuration and the overtravel configuration;   an overtravel switch configured to detect when the container is in the overtravel configuration; and   a latch configured to, in response to a detection by the overtravel switch, controllably transition between a locked configuration to retain the container in at least the closed configuration and an unlocked configuration to release the container to the open configuration.   
     
     
         11 . The vehicle of  claim 10 , further comprising an ajar sensor configured to detect when the container is in the open configuration or the closed configuration. 
     
     
         12 . The vehicle of  claim 10 , further comprising a bumper configured to bias the container from the closed configuration toward the open configuration and compress as the container transitions from the closed configuration to the overtravel configuration. 
     
     
         13 . The vehicle of  claim 10 , further comprising a striker connected to the container, wherein the latch is configured to rotate to engage the striker. 
     
     
         14 . The vehicle of  claim 10 , further comprising a display device configured to detect a user input, wherein the latch is further configured to, in response to a detection of the user input, controllably transition to the unlocked configuration to release the container to the open configuration. 
     
     
         15 . The vehicle of  claim 14 , further comprising a dashboard defining a recess for receiving the container and supporting the display device. 
     
     
         16 . A method comprising:
 detecting when a container is transitioned to an overtravel configuration from either an open configuration or a closed configuration of the container, the closed configuration being between the open configuration and the overtravel configuration; and   in response to a detection that the container is in the overtravel configuration, controlling a latch to transition between a locked configuration to retain the container in at least the closed configuration and an unlocked configuration to release the container to the open configuration.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein, in response to a detection that the container is transitioned from the open configuration to the overtravel configuration, controlling the latch comprises transitioning the latch to the locked configuration. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein, in response to a detection that the container is transitioned from the closed configuration to the overtravel configuration, controlling the latch comprises transitioning the latch to the unlocked configuration. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein detecting when the container is transitioned to the overtravel configuration comprises operating a switch.  20  The method of  claim 16 , wherein detecting when the container is transitioned to the overtravel configuration comprises detecting when the latch is urged beyond the unlocked configuration.